Two Eastpointe cops accused of misconduct

An Eastpointe police sergeant has resigned from the force and a second officer remains under investigation for misconduct, according to a broadcast report.

Both officers, whose names were not disclosed, were part of the department’s drug enforcement team.

The officers allegedly sold items seized in drug raids including a Rolex watch, jewelry, televisions and tire rims, WDIV-TV (Channel 4) reported. The items were sold or exchanged for cocaine and heroin, the station said, quoting unnamed sources.

This past July, Eastpointe City Manager Steve Duchane told The Macomb Daily the officers were placed on administrative leave after the city received a complaint about the officers’ conduct and an investigation had been launched. At the time, Duchane said the complaint involved “inappropriate participation” of the officers and the ways in which drug evidence was being stored.

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In the television report, the city manager said the officers had “blurred the lines of responsibility” as they worked in an undercover capacity to gain the trust of targeted drug dealers.

Duchane said the officers had to build relationships to further their investigations. He said sometimes law enforcers “step across the line and forget whose side you’re on.”

The allegations came to light after some of the seized items were found advertised for sale on the online Craigslist website. Also, an area doctor who was under investigation for a crime received the Rolex watch and started talking to investigators.

The information has been turned over to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office and the officers likely will face criminal charges, Duchane added.